Osseointegrated Percutaneous Prosthetic System for the Treatment of Patients With Transfemoral Amputation: A Prospective Five-year Follow-up of Patient-reported Outcomes and Complications.

Introduction: Direct skeletal attachment of prostheses has previously been shown to improve patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures of individuals with transfemoral amputation (TFA) at 2-year follow-up. This prospective study reports the outcomes at 5-year follow-up.

Methods: A total of 51 patients (55 legs) with TFA were included in a prospective study.

Increase of sodium channels (nav 1.8 and nav 1.9) in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons exposed to autologous nucleus pulposus.

Purpose: It has been assumed that nucleus pulposus-induced activation of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) may be related to an activation of sodium channels in the DRG neurons. In this study we assessed the expression of Nav 1.8 and Nav 1.

Vibrotactile evaluation: osseointegrated versus socket-suspended transfemoral prostheses.

This study investigated detection thresholds of vibrometric stimuli in patients with transfemoral amputation supplied with osseointegrated (OI) and socket-suspended prostheses. It included 17 patients tested preoperatively with socket-suspended prostheses and after 2 yr with OI prostheses and a control group (n = 17) using socket-suspended prostheses, evaluated once. Assessments on the prosthetic and intact feet were conducted at six frequencies (8, 16, 32, 64, 125, and 250 Hz).

Local application of nucleus pulposus induces expression OF P2X3 in rat dorsal root ganglion cells.

The P2X(3) receptor is a ligand-gated cation channel that is activated by extra cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) found in the dorsal root, trigeminal and nodose ganglia. It is one of the receptors transmitting nociceptive information of injuries and inflammation of the periphery by endogenous ATP released from damaged cells. The present study was performed in order to evaluate if there was an increased expression of P2X(3)-immunoreactivity in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons after experimental disc herniation.

Physical exercise affects cell proliferation in lumbar intervertebral disc regions in rats.

Study Design: Descriptive experimental study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise on cell proliferation in different areas of the intervertebral disc (IVD) and recruitment of cells possibly active in regeneration of normal rat lumbar IVDs.

Summary Of Background Data: Little is known about the effects of physical exercise on lumbar IVD tissue.

Electron microscopy analysis of neurites extending from dorsal root ganglia in vitro following exposure to intervertebral disc cells.

Nucleus pulposus cells from the intervertebral disc have been shown to have inhibiting effects on neurite outgrowth in vitro. The nucleus pulposus consists of at least 2 cell populations, notochordal cells and chondrocyte-like cells. The aim of this study was to analyze the morphology of the neurites, from rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in a culture system, after exposure of these 2 cell populations.

Effect of methotrexate on fracture healing.

Low doses of methotrexate (MTX) are safe and effective for treating adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. However, because this powerful anti-inflammatory drug might negatively influence the healing of wounds and fractures, MTX administration is often stopped during surgical procedures. The present study assesses the effects of low- and high-dose MTX on early inflammatory processes and bone healing in an experimental model of fracture.

Local application of interleukin-6 to the dorsal root ganglion induces tumor necrosis factor-α in the dorsal root ganglion and results in apoptosis of the dorsal root ganglion cells.

Study Design: The mechanisms of apoptosis behind the formation of tissue reactions at the surface of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) exposed to the nucleus pulposus were studied with special reference to the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6), using electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry in rats.

Objective: To study the role of IL-6 on the DRG.

Summary Of Background Data: It has been reported that nucleus pulposus cells are capable to produce proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and IL-6.

Effects of intervertebral disc cells on neurite outgrowth from dorsal root ganglion explants in culture.

Study Design: An experimental study investigating the effect of disc cells on neurite outgrowth in a rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) culture system.

Objective: To examine the effects of the 2 nucleus pulposus (NP) cell populations, notochordal cells (NC) and chondrocyte-like cells (CC) on neurite outgrowth from DRGs.

Summary Of Background Data: NP consists of at least 2 cell populations, NC and CC.

Autologous nucleus pulposus primes T cells to develop into interleukin-4-producing effector cells: an experimental study on the autoimmune properties of nucleus pulposus.

An autoimmune response to herniated nucleus pulposus has been proposed to constitute a pathophysiologic mechanism for inducing sciatica based on the fact that nucleus pulposus under normal conditions is excluded from the development of immunological tolerance. The manifestation of an autoimmune response comprises different steps starting with antigen capture, continuing with activation of T helper (T(H)) cells and ending with production of autoantibodies. Activated T(H) cells differentiate into either T(H)1 cells, predominately producing proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFNgamma) or a T(H)2 subset mainly producing anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-4 (IL-4).

Osseointegrated trans-femoral amputation prostheses: prospective results of general and condition-specific quality of life in 18 patients at 2-year follow-up.

This is the first report on prospective outcome for individuals treated with bone-anchored trans-femoral amputation prostheses (OI-prostheses) using the method of osseointegration. The aim was to analyze general and condition-specific health related quality of life (HRQL) at 2-year follow-up as compared to the preoperative situation. The study population consists of the first 18 consecutively treated patients (8 male/10 female, mean age 45 years) in a clinical investigation with amputations mainly caused by trauma and tumour.

The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion cells induced by herniated nucleus pulposus in rats.

Study Design: The mechanisms of apoptosis underlying a characteristic tissue reaction at the surface of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) exposed to nucleus pulposus were studied in rats with special reference to the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF).

Objective: To study the characteristic tissue reaction at the surface of the DRG exposed to nucleus pulposus with special reference to the role of TNF.

Summary Of Background Data: Nucleus pulposus cells are capable of producing TNF.

Autoimmune properties of nucleus pulposus: an experimental study in pigs.

Study Design: Assessment of activated T and B cells in a subcutaneous chamber filled with autologous nucleus pulposus using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.

Objectives: To examine if subcutaneously placed autologous nucleus pulposus may attract activated T and B cells in an animal model.

Summary Of Background Data: Nucleus pulposus has been suggested to trigger an autoimmune response if exposed to the immune system, for example, in association with disc herniation.

Production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha from porcine nucleus pulposus cells at various time points in cell culture under conditions of nutritional deficiency.

Nucleus pulposus (NP) in the epidural space induces spinal nerve damage not only by mechanical but also chemical mechanism. NP has been shown to be capable of producing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). TNF may play key roles in the NP-induced chemical damage.

Changes in pain behavior and histologic changes caused by application of tumor necrosis factor-alpha to the dorsal root ganglion in rats.

Study Design: Histologic changes in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the nociceptive stimulation thresholds were studied in rats.

Objective: To examine the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) with special reference to pain behavior and histology of the DRG.

Summary Of Background Data: Recently, it was reported that local application of nucleus pulposus induces a characteristic tissue reaction at the surface of the DRG.

Nucleus pulposus-induced apoptosis in dorsal root ganglion following experimental disc herniation in rats.

Study Design: The mechanisms behind the formation of a characteristic tissue reaction at the surface of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) exposed to nucleus pulposus was studied with special reference to apoptosis using electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry in rats.

Objectives: To study the mechanism of the characteristic tissue reaction at the surface of the DRG exposed to nucleus pulposus.

Summary Of Background Data: Recently, it was observed that local application of nucleus pulposus may induce a characteristic tissue reaction at the surface of the DRG.

Effects of lumbar sympathectomy on pain behavioral changes caused by nucleus pulposus-induced spinal nerve damage in rats.

It has been suggested that lumbar sympathectomy can reduce pain behavior, including mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, caused by ligation of the spinal nerve. One well-characterized model, which involves application of nucleus pulposus to the spinal nerve and displacement of the adjacent nerve, shows behavioral changes in rats. However, there have been no previous reports regarding sympathectomy performed in this model.

Torsional stiffness in healing fractures: influence of ossification: an experimental study in rats.

Background: Different fracture fixation techniques and fracture environment influence bone formation in healing fractures. However, the influence on the development of biomechanical properties has not been clear described. We evaluated the influence of fracture fixation stability and fracture environment on mechanical properties in healing femoral fractures in rats.

Incision of the intervertebral disc induces disintegration and increases permeability of the dorsal root ganglion capsule.

Study Design: The origin and the barrier properties of the characteristic reaction at the surface of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) exposed to the nucleus pulposus was studied using Alcian-Blue staining, van Gieson staining, and the application of Evans Blue Albumin (EBA) complex in rats.

Objective: To study the origin and the barrier properties of the capsule, including the characteristic reaction, at the surface of the DRG exposed to the nucleus pulposus.

Summary Of Background Data: Local application of nucleus pulposus may induce a characteristic reaction at the surface of the DRG.